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Cauliflower “Rice” Black Bean Bowl with Avocado Smash

January 3, 2015

Happy New Year!

Are you happy it’s a new year? I know that I walk into every new year with both excitement and apprehension.

I’ll be honest with you. The level of stress that I was feeling leading up to the holidays was overwhelming. Working a full time job, studying nutrition at night, keeping my website up to date and about 8 months ago, I became an wellness consultant and educator with doTERRA. Sometimes I think, “have I bitten off more than I can chew?”. Probably. Do you ever get that way?

The holidays for me were spent in hibernation and I can say that I actually feel pretty good. I’ve stopped drinking caffeinated coffee. Instead, decaf express for my morning bulletproof coffees. I’m generally good with my diet but the holidays did involve a fair amount of cocktails and wine. So, it’s time for a little reset.

This Cauliflower “Rice” Black Bean Bowl with Avocado Smash is such a quick and easy dish that you can even make it a day or two ahead. Most “bowls” incorporate rice or quinoa to it. I’ve been limiting my grains over the past 6 months as I have found them to be a little inflammatory for me. But, if you’re into the grains, feel free to sub the cauliflower “rice” out or add both.

Let’s talk about one of the key ingredients: beans. Full of fibre, protein, low in fat (not that I’m scared of fat) and a great plant-based substitute for meat. I prefer to make my own beans (ie. soak them overnight and cook them) but I ran out of time for this one. My message here. Try and choose organic and please, choose a BPA free can. That’s not always possible but do your best.

Cauliflower rice is the new substitute for those that are skipping the grains. It also cooks up easily and takes on so many flavours that you add to it. In this case, a little garlic, turmeric and cinnamon.

Cauliflower rice can be made without a food processor. Just break off small florets and chop, chop, chop away until desired consistency.

Saute in a pan it’s ready in about 5-7 minutes. That’s it!

Guacamole, in my opinion, is the star of this bowl. So good for you and loaded with heart-healthy fats. I amped mine up with a few shots of hot sauce ’cause that’s how I roll!

Cauliflower “Rice” Black Bean Bowl with Avocado Smash

(Serves about 2 large portions)

Ingredients

1 small head of cauliflower, cut into small florets (equals about 2 cups of “rice”)
2 tablespoons of oil, such as olive or coconut
2 tablespoons white onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon of cumin
1/4 teaspoon of turmeric (optional)
1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon (optional)
Salt to taste
1 can of organic black beans, rinsed well (warm in a pot if preferred)
1/2 bunch of cilantro, chopped
1 lime

1. Pulse cauliflower in the processor until it resembles rice/couscous (about 10 pulses).
2. Heat your large frying pan on a medium temperature.
3. While the pan is heating, incorporate all the ingredients for the guacamole and leave to the side.
4. Add the 2 tablespoons of oil to the pan and add the cauliflower. Stir for about 1 minute and add garlic, onion, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon and salt to taste.
5. Add cauliflower to two bowls, add black beans and guacamole. Garnish with lime and cilantro.